SoCalHoops High School News

adidas Double Pump Hoop Challenge:
Serra Loses At "Buzzer"--(Jan. 18, 1998)

Bishop Montgomery 59, Serra 57

The only question in this incredibly close game was when the buzzer really should have gone off. If you're a Serra partisan, then surely you believe your team just got hosed. If you're a Bishop Montgomery fan, then all is right with the world.

They saved the best for last as Bishop Montgomery and Serra battled it down to the wire, literally.  This game was a one or two point contest the entire way.  It was 24-23 at the half, and the second half was the same. The teams played to within one point throughout the fourth quarter with Bishop Montgomery trailing   for most of the second half, at 2:00 Derrick Craven hits a three to bring BM to within two, and then he grabbed a steal and laid the ball in to tie it. Both teams then traded baskets and a couple of free thorws, and with the score tied at 57 all, the crowd went absolutely nuts. Dwan Hurt called a time out with 9 seconds on the clock. Never mind that it's 10:45 p.m. and we've been here since 9:00 a.m. watching 8 other games, this one is going down to the wire. So here's the set-up:  Serra is taking the ball out at mid-court, with 9 seconds left and the score tied.  Got it.  Good.

The ball is inbounded to D.J. Wyatt and who should steal it, but none other than Derrick Craven, who sprints down towards the Bishop Montgomery basket. He stutter steps to avoid Aerick Sanders' attempt to block the shot, and then shoots, misses, and Gabriel Hughes gets the rebound, he brings the ball down, and then puts it in for the basket. . . and there were still another 3 seconds on the clock.

Er, um, ok.  The Serra crowd, players and coaches went nuts and there was a near riot on the floor, with Serra's fans and their coach yelling that the clock didn't run.  And they may have been right, but there was no instant replay and the refs, after standing around for a couple of seconds, literally sprinted for the door and they were outa there.  Win for Bishop Montgomery, loss for Serra.

For Bishop, Leland Dodd finished with 8 points, Kenny D'Oyen had 2, Devaughn Peace had 3, Errick Craven 9, Derrick Craven 18, Garrett Lee 2, and Gabriel Hughes, looking stronger and better than ever, had 18.  For Serra, Earl Lewis had 19, Ryan Odums 11, D.J. Wyatt 9, Palmer Brown 4, Aerick Sanders 6, Doyle Cole 6, and Lee Davis 2.

This was a great game, and a great way to end the day. Even if it did end with some controversy.

©Copyright 1998 All rights reserved
Questions? Comments? Need Information?
Contact: jegesq@SoCalHoops.com